Antonio and Giovanni Esposito are both established figures on the World Judo Tour. They are also, above all, brothers. In a moving video produced by JudoTV.com, they open up about the unique bond that connects them far beyond the tatami.
Antonio, now 31, has built an impressive career. Junior world champion in 2013, he has competed at two Olympic Games, finishing fifth at Paris 2024. A European silver medallist, he has also collected seven WJT medals. Giovanni, four years younger, has followed closely in his footsteps while carving out his own path. World cadet champion in 2015, European silver medallist and winner of six WJT medals, he too has established himself among the international elite.
Their journey began together. Judo entered their lives through their father, Giuseppe, who practised the sport in his youth, and their uncle Pasquale. Add to that a mother who supported them every day and a third brother who also practises judo, and the picture is clear: in the Esposito family, judo has always been more than a sport. It is a shared language, a common passion, a way of life.
Both brothers speak with deep gratitude about their parents and family, whose unwavering support has accompanied them at every step. They know that none of what they have achieved would have been possible without that foundation.
What sets Antonio and Giovanni apart is the way they function as a pair. Their success is built on constant exchange. They support each other, encourage one another and analyse their respective opponents together. This perfect understanding gives them strength but it also brings an added layer of pressure at major competitions. They do not carry expectations for one but for two.
When Antonio qualified for the Olympic Games, there was never any doubt about who he wanted by his side. Giovanni was his training partner, his support, his brother. They celebrated together. They suffered together. In moments of joy and in moments of disappointment, they were never alone.
In the video, the brothers speak with humility and honesty about their victories and their defeats, about what it means to win and what it costs to lose. Above all, they speak about family, the place where everything begins and where everything returns.
In a sport where the fight is individual, the Esposito brothers remind us that no journey is ever truly taken alone. Their message is simple, sincere and powerful.